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A saloon in a cave? This Alabama restaurant is more than a novelty

Normally, if a restaurant had water dripping from the ceiling and a wall missing, you’d count off for that. At one Alabama landmark, it’s part of the unique drawing power of the place.

And when you’re located where the Rattlesnake Saloon is, you’d better have some drawing power. Patrons aren’t going to pass by casually unless their commute takes them along Ala. 247, a two-lane highway running from Pride, Ala., an unincorporated community near Tuscumbia, to the relative metropolis of Red Bay.

I should note, in fairness, that water probably doesn’t always drip off the ceiling. The Rattlesnake Saloon’s first claim to fame is that it’s located in a cave, and some rainy days had preceded my visit. The minor seepage working its way through the tons of rock layered overhead wasn’t enough to be a nuisance: It was more of a steady, low-key reminder that the venue was still subject to the natural forces that created it, that it was in a sense alive.

Rattlesnake Saloon is sheltered by a massive rock overhang.Lawrence Specker | [email protected]

As for the missing wall, the saloon’s home isn’t a deep-down-in-a-hole cave; it’s an open-face recess that allows for plenty of airflow and natural light. It’s a cave without the claustrophobia, and it’s so well-suited to serve as a shelter that one can’t help but wonder who might have taken refuge there in the eons before the owners started serving loaded fries, nachos and cheeseburgers.

Its story, in the modern era, begins in 1916, when Owen “Plain” Foster began to amass 6,000 acres of land near what is now the Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area. According to the venue’s website, his son, William “Chicken Owen” Foster, used the cave as a hog pen.

After two generations of using the surrounding land mainly for farming and timber, Owen Daniel Foster Sr. created the Seven Springs Lodge. When you pull up for a meal at the saloon, it’s immediately evident that it’s part of something much, much bigger: encompassing some 20,000 acres, it caters particularly to the interests of equestrians but its RV sites, campgrounds and lodge accommodations, not to mention many miles of trails, appeal to others as well.

It was the fourth generation of the Foster family that looked at the former hog pen and saw potential for something more constructive.

The Rattlesnake Saloon, a restaurant located in a northwest Alabama cave, has been open since 2009. — Rattlesnake Saloon isn’t just situated in a cave — it’s a cave with a view.Lawrence Specker | [email protected]

“We’d have 200, 300 horses there on the weekends, people coming to ride,” said William Gordon Foster. “We’d have these guys in 18-wheelers pulling huge horse trailers. They couldn’t just unhook and go get food. They couldn’t do it. So we had a bunch of grills and we were buying grills constantly, everybody there was grilling and cooking their food.”

Foster continued: “So I looked at my dad, I was like, ‘Dad, I want to build a restaurant. We have a captive audience. Everybody’s here every weekend, if there’s 300 people here and I serve 100 of them, it’s a business.’ And my dad says, ‘Son, I always wanted something underneath that rock.’”

Rattlesnake Saloon opened during Labor Day weekend in 2009, taking its name from a nest of snakes found during construction. Access is easy: You park in a lot at the entrance to the lodge property and wait at a small shelter for the pickup-based “taxi” that will take you down to the saloon. (There was no road in the hog pen days. Now there is — a steep and curvy path that will make you glad someone else is doing the driving.)

Rounding the bluff, inches from the rock wall on one side and a significant drop on the other, you get a good first look at Rattlesnake Saloon and its setting. The cave is big enough to hold both an actual Old West-style saloon (and the kitchen behind it) and the main open-air seating area.

By the time you get off the shuttle, you’re ready for a look at the menu. And here’s the thing: Restaurants in destination settings like this often feature concession-stand-level food, but Rattlesnake Saloon stands on its own as a perfectly solid restaurant. The American pub menu is nothing fancy, but it holds its own with any good sports bar.

Appetizers include Campfire Chips & Salsa, Loaded Hay Stacks (fries), Skunk Rings, Cowboy Buttons, Giddy ‘up Sticks and so on. (That’s onion rings, fried mushrooms and melty cheese sticks, pardners.) The most distinctive thing here is the “Snake Eyes and Tails,” which are fried jalapeno slices with fried green beans. My companion and I opted for the Chuckwagon Nachos, topped with hearty chili, queso and jalapenos, and that got things off to a good start.

Most appetizer options run $5 to $11, but if you brought the whole posse, you might want to look at the Tombstone Platter sampler for $50.

We bypassed the “Grazin’” salad choices for the “Chow Time” menu — a selection of burgers, sandwiches, chicken fingers and hot dogs. My companion made the easy choice, going for The Duke ($16), a fully dressed half-pound burger with bacon and fried jalapenos on an onion kaiser bun. I had the Buckaroo ($13), a club-type sandwich with smoked ham, turkey, cheese and smoked bacon on an onion roll.

As bacon cheeseburgers go, The Duke was a straight shooter that could hold its own in a lawless land. The only problem with the Buckaroo was my fault, in that I’d ordered a cold sandwich on a cool day. If I had it to do over, I’d try The Southern Belle ($14), a pile of steak, onions, peppers and queso on a hoagie roll.

For those wanting to go off the reservation, so to speak, there’s the Rattlesnake Saloon’s other claim to fame: The Gigantor, a $60 burger made with “two pounds of fresh certified Hereford beef on a huge bun with all the fixins, a pound of fries, half pound of onion rings, and a pitcher of your favorite beverage to wash it down.” Here’s some fightin’ words: If you eat it by yourself in less than 45 minutes, it’s free.

William Foster said the saloon sells about 200 Gigantors a year, but “there’s not that many people that actually do the challenge.” Usually the Gigantor is split up among a party of four, he said.

Word to the wise: You don’t have to order the Gigantor to prove your bona fides. Order the Deep Fried Cheesecake appetizer ($7). The menu says you’ll be glad you did, and you probably will. It’s not a slab of cheesecake that’s been dropped into the fryer. You get two portions that look like cannoli, drizzled with raspberry sauce, and they’re great.

All the while you’re enjoying your meal, you get to enjoy the view from the mouth of the cave. It overlooks a small valley, and the stream of water flowing off the overhang works its way down to a pond. There’s nothing especially grandiose about it, but it’s surely a part of the reason no one seemed to be in much of a hurry to leave during our visit.

Even though it represents a development of the site, the Rattlesnake Saloon preserves the sense that you’ve found a place set apart from the rest of the world. A place with more history that we could probably ever know, and a place that will endure.

William Foster, who doubles as the mayor of Tuscumbia, thinks of that on a more personal level.

“I have a little girl,” he said. “She’s my fifth generation, and hopefully it’ll stay in the family for years to come.”

Rattlesnake Saloon’s address is 1292 Mount Mills Road, Tuscumbia. Warm weather hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Alcohol is served after 5 p.m. For full information and policies, visit www.rattlesnakesaloon.net. For updates including the music lineup, see www.facebook.com/therattlesnakesaloon.

General

Where experts think Alabama football’s Tyler Booker will land in 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly here, set to begin Thursday in Green Bay. Former Alabama football guard Tyler Booker will be in attendance, as a potential first-round pick according to many recent mock drafts.

The first round will begin Thursday, with the second and third on Friday and the final four rounds Saturday. Ahead of the event, here’s where Booker is landing in recent mock drafts.

ESPN– No. 47 overall, Arizona Cardinals

Field Yates has Booker in the second round, where he thinks the Cardinals could use Booker’s talents to protect Kyler Murray. Yates also points out Booker’s ability in run-blocking, which he thinks is higher than most other offensive linemen in the draft class.

ESPN– No. 25 overall, Houston Texans

Jordan Reid has Booker in the first round of his most recent mock draft. Reid thinks the young guard could fit in well with a new-look Houston offensive line, built to protect young star quarterback CJ Stroud

Pro Football Focus– No. 52 overall, Seattle Seahawks (via trade with Pittsburgh Steelers

The PFF projection is lower than most on Booker, placing him in the second round. The mock draft has the Seahawks using the second round to rebuild their interior offensive line, with Georgia center Jared Wilson also going to Seattle at No. 50 overall.

CBS Sports– No. 12 overall, Dallas Cowboys

Ryan Wilson projected Booker as the first Alabama player off the board in his April 18 mock draft. Wilson had Booker as the first interior offensive lineman drafted.

NFL.com– No. 28 overall, Detroit Lions

Draft analyst Chad Reuter sends Booker to Detroit toward the end of the first round. He notes that Booker’s versatility could make him appeal to the Lions, one of the top teams in the league last season.

NFL.com– No. 18 overall, Seattle Seahawks

Eric Edholm, like PFF, projected that Booker will be taken by Seattle, albeit much higher. He has Booker coming off the board one spot ahead of his Alabama teammate, linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who he thinks will be taken by Tampa Bay at No. 19 overall.

General

Alabama lawmaker says his name was forged on legislation: That could soon be illegal

The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill that would make it a crime for somebody to forge sponsorship on local legislation.

Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, the sponsor of HB 454, said somebody drafted a local bill in his name through the Legislative Services Agency without his permission. He did not say when this happened or what bill was involved.

“I found out later on that a bill had been drafted. I talked to the Legislative Reference Service and asked them to look it up because I did not do this,” he said.

More from Alabama Reflector

The legislation makes drafting a bill without a lawmaker’s permission and advertising the legislation a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000.

The bill passed 94-1 with a floor amendment by Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, that clarified that the person publishing the bill was requested to do so by a legislator.

“I got recommendations from the county commission association to add this,” he said.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, was the only vote against the bill. He said he could not support it because of confusing language.

“I can’t support it the way it is written because you may catch somebody that’s trying to do the right thing and help you out,” England said.

The bill goes to the Senate.

General

Ready for execution, more CHOOSE money?: Down in Alabama

‘I took a life so mine was forefeited’

Support for capital punishment — at least in this case — came from an unusual place this week: From the man who is scheduled to die on Thursday.

The Associated Press reports that James Osgood dropped his appeals last summer. He explained during a recent interview that he did so because he’s guilty.

“I’m a firm believer in … an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” he said. ”I took a life so mine was forfeited. I don’t believe in sitting here and wasting everybody’s time and everybody’s money.”

He also said he doesn’t want death-penalty opponents to protest on his behalf.

Osgood is on Death Row for the 2010 sexual assault and killing of Chilton County woman Tracy Lynn Brown. During his interview he expressed regret over her killing, her family’s suffering and his own family’s suffering.

He’s scheduled to die by lethal injection on Thursday.

Lawmakers on education

A state House committee on Tuesday approved pumping more money into the CHOOSE Act, reports AL.com’s Rebecca Griesbach.

An amended budget proposal now includes new measures for funding the state’s school-choice law. It was originally funded with $100 million, but in its first year there were more than 36,000 applicants for a program that’s budgeted for around 14,000.

So the proposed increase in next year’s budget would add $80 million to that.

Also proposed is a $375 million program that would fund schools based on student needs rather than a simple head count.

But don’t expect a raise for teachers this time, according to state Rep. Danny Garrett, a Trussville Republican. Teacher pay has been addressed in recent years, and Alabama now has among the highest starting-teacher salaries in the Southeast at $47,600 for those with a bachelor’s degree.

Trump’s visit

President Trump said earlier this week that he has agreed to speak at the University of Alabama’s commencement this spring.

The University released an announcement yesterday that the president would give an address at a special event May 1, the night before graduation ceremonies begin, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.

The speech will be given at Coleman Coliseum.

A spokesperson with the University of Alabama Board of Trustees said the event would be ticketed and open to all this spring’s graduates.

A pre-Civil War hotel

A 188-year-old hotel in Selma will re-open next month after temporarily closing in March for new management and staff, reports AL.com’s Amber Sutton.

Its original 1837 opening as the Brantley Hotel makes it the oldest hotel in the Southeast. But note that it hasn’t been open continuously: Now the St. James Hotel, it was closed for over a hundred years before being restored and reopened in 1997. Then it was closed again from 2015-2021.

It was used as a headquarters for the Union Army after the 1865 Battle of Selma.

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Miss Manners: My friends are more concerned with the “who’s who” than celebrating with me

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I issue online invitations to multiple guests at once, I generally use the option to hide the guest list from invitees. I’m not sure why I do this, except that back when I sent invitations through the mail, nobody got (or expected) a list of the other invitees.

However, some of our friends, before they tell us whether they plan to attend or not, immediately ask who else is invited or who else is coming. It makes me wonder if they only plan to attend if the list includes the Cool Kids.

GENTLE READER: Wonder no more.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

General

Miss Manners: I skipped my difficult coworker’s retirement party

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I worked with someone who was uber passive-aggressive and made my life at work difficult. Fortunately, she retired at the end of the semester.

There was a retirement gathering for her with cake and coffee, given by her colleagues. I vowed long ago as division chair to never attend a gathering for this individual, so I skipped it.

I was confronted and scolded regarding my absence. I didn’t want to lie, so I said there were personal issues that precluded me from attending.

Should I have just gone and been the better person? Should I have lied that I had an appointment?

GENTLE READER: “Passive-aggressive” is one of those terms that Miss Manners has never entirely understood.

Would an example be putting up with bad behavior from a colleague for years without resolving it, and then venting the accumulated frustration by shirking one’s duty as division chair to attend a ceremonial gathering honoring that person’s retirement?

She is equally unclear on the moral distinction between being truthful about your absence (when there are no consequences) compared to having presumably been civil and professional every prior day (when there were).

What would have been the harm in showing up for a colleague you did not care for — but will not have to see again afterwards? Instead of being the better person, we can call it being the bigger person. Or doing your job. Or showing that there are more important things in your life than her bad behavior.

General

Dear Annie: My cousin constantly makes digs at family members

Dear Annie: I’m stuck in the middle of some serious family tension. My cousin constantly makes little digs about my sister-in-law and my brother behind their backs. For example, she’ll say things like, “Wow, your sister-in-law really knows how to spend money, doesn’t she?” — with a smirk, like she’s trying to be funny, but it’s clearly meant to cut. Then she’ll press me for details about their lives — what they’re doing, what they’ve said, how they spend their time.

I never know how to respond. I don’t want to betray my brother’s trust, but I also don’t want to create drama with my cousin. I feel like I’m walking a tightrope, and someone’s going to get hurt no matter what I do.

How do I stay out of the middle without turning this into a bigger mess? — Torn and Tired

Dear Torn and Tired: You’re in a tough spot — but not a unique one. Many people find themselves caught between loyalty and gossip, especially when family is involved.

Let’s be clear: Your cousin isn’t just “joking” when she makes snide remarks about your sister-in-law. That kind of passive-aggressive behavior is a way of stirring the pot without taking responsibility for it. And by asking you to spill personal details, she’s dragging you into something you want no part of.

Here’s what you do: stop playing along. The next time she makes a comment, gently say, “I’d rather not talk about them when they’re not here.” If she keeps pushing, change the subject. You don’t need to confront her with fireworks — but you also don’t need to be her sounding board or informant.

You can’t control your cousin’s behavior, but you can control your role in it. Protect your peace and remember: Silence is sometimes the strongest boundary of all.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

General

Dear Annie: I’m trying to protect my kids from grandma’s toxicity

Dear Annie: My partner’s mother constantly demands attention, and everything revolves around her. Whenever we’re busy or focused on other things, she lashes out — often hurting those around her, including her grandchildren. She plays favorites, manipulates situations to her advantage and pulls the extended family into her drama. If anyone refuses to engage, they become a target, too.

I’ve tried addressing this directly. Despite multiple attempts to keep the peace, she’s tried to bribe her son to leave me and has used our children as leverage in manipulative ways. She’s crossed the line repeatedly, with no regard for anyone but herself.

At this point, our kids avoid her; they don’t want to call or visit. Still, she plays the victim and refuses to acknowledge the pain she’s caused. After years of trying, I finally drew the line and only speak to her about the kids. When my partner stood up to her, too, she went silent again, cutting all of us off.

Now she’s back at it. I offered to talk face-to-face, but she continues the same toxic cycle. I’m doing my best to protect my family, especially our children, but I also don’t want to completely shut her out. The situation feels hopeless; she takes no responsibility, and the kids want nothing to do with her.

What would you do if someone you loved kept hurting your children emotionally yet refused to change or even acknowledge the damage? — Lost on How To Move Forward

Dear Reader: It sounds like your mother-in-law is struggling with a deep need for control and connection — but unfortunately, she’s expressing it in ways that hurt the people around her, including your children. That’s painful, and I’m sorry you’ve had to carry this for so long.

You’ve tried — more than once — to reach out, set boundaries and keep the door open. But when someone refuses to take responsibility for the harm they cause, it becomes necessary to protect your family’s well-being. That doesn’t mean cutting her out completely, but it does mean making peace with the fact that you can’t change her.

Continue to lead with kindness, but stay firm in your boundaries. If she’s ever ready to approach the relationship with empathy, then there’s room for healing. Until then, your job is to protect your children’s peace — and your own.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

General

Anticipate dense fog in North Alabama until Wednesday morning

A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Wednesday at 12:34 a.m. for dense fog until 7:15 a.m. for Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

“Patchy Dense Fog has developed primarily across portions of northeastern Alabama and into Cullman county at this time. Some visibilities have already dropped to 1/4 of a mile or lower in these areas. This should continue at times through daybreak on Wednesday, possibly dropping visibilities to 1/4 mile or less in isolated areas. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution, as visibilities will vary significantly given the patchy nature of the fog. Use low beams, reduce driving speed, and allow for plenty of room between you and other cars. The fog should begin to burn off around 7 a.m. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, or a favorite local media outlet, for further statements or updates from the National Weather Service in Huntsville,” according to the weather service.

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.

Avoid high-beams:

Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep your distance:

Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.

Zero visibility strategy:

In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

Limited parking options:

If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Today’s daily horoscopes: April 23, 2025

Looking at the scene from an artistic point of view, the elements settle differently. Dark and light may contrast, but it’s not because one is good and the other is evil. It’s because both are necessary to make out the picture. Similarly, chaos isn’t inherently ugly, and organization isn’t inherently beautiful. The solar square to Pluto offers a larger context to help make sense of it all.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Change will happen exponentially. One move will have three effects, and suddenly, there are nine results, then 27, and on and on. Whatever you give, make sure it’s golden and something that will have a benefit when duplicated and amplified.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll be detoured, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be off course. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but this is the right path for you. It will provide just the right amount of challenge and the most fitting rewards.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Trust in the processes you can’t control, which will be most of them. All you have to control is one little wheel to get exactly where you want to go. Life is a barge, and the hands on the captain’s wheel are yours.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). To be overly focused on seeking approval or trying to be liked by others would only diminish your ability to be graceful in social situations. Instead of relying on others for validation, cultivate your own sense of happiness and comfort.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Balance is key, not just in work but also in play and passion. Overindulging, even in things you love, can lead to burnout or diminish their value. Taking breaks and moderating your intensity allows you to sustain your energy over time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re not always in the mood to compete, but when it’s game time, you will rise to the occasion regardless. That winning instinct will kick in as the spirit of competition fuels and quickens you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). By respecting and valuing yourself the way you want others to, you set the standard for how they should treat you. Let go of something you were doing just to gain someone’s approval. It signals to others that you won’t compromise yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even though you could point out the problems around you, why not save them for your notebook? You’ll put it to good use, jotting down both issues and what’s going right — so when the time comes to speak, you’ll do so thoughtfully.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You wish for fresh delights. Have you used up all the opportunities for joy in your immediate environment? Of course not, but it takes someone new on the scene to stir things up and reveal the hidden magic still waiting to be explored.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The need for approval and acceptance is primal — a form of intelligence evolved over millennia. It’s not a weakness but a fact of the human condition. It’s totally natural to care a little more about validation than we want to.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Love is a quality of attention. The opposite of love isn’t hate — it’s neglect. Where there is a lack of focus and interaction, there’s a lack of love. You’ll take the initiative to actively engage, listen and nurture connections. Love thrives.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Returning to the basics is in order. It would be easy to get so caught up in advanced techniques or ideas that you overlook the power of the fundamentals. Going back to the core principles will uncover anything you might have missed.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 23). Your year sparkles with happy news, exciting events and outrageous fun, with you at the center of the story. You live by your optimism and a sense of adventure that extends to your social life and the relationships you seek as well as to your creative endeavors. More highlights: hot tickets, justice served, and a business that booms, keeping your skills sharp and your resources plush enough to be generous. Leo and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 28, 5, 7, 30 and 26.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Recently, 7UP released a limited-edition canned version of the Shirley Temple, sparking nostalgia among fans. Shirley Temple was a tap-dancing ray of sunshine in the Great Depression and is, to this day, the youngest person to earn an Academy Award, which she accepted at the age of 6 for her outstanding contribution to cinema. The curly-topped Taurus ambassador had four natal luminaries in Aries, the sign of youth, vitality and feisty spirit. Her Neptune, the dream planet, was in entertaining Leo.

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.